FMU Faces Rival St. Thomas In Home Opener Saturday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (0-1, 0-1) vs. St. Thomas University Bobcats (1-1, 1-0)
When: Saturday, November 14, 2020
Where: Florida Memorial, Miami Gardens, Fla. | FMU Wellness Center
Tipoff: 7 p.m.* (30 minutes following women's game)
Last Meeting: Date, Result
Live Video: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Some things are good to go right away, other things – like a good steak or cheesecake – require just an extra bit of time set or gel before they're at their best.

Playing its first game with a largely new roster, Florida Memorial University's men's basketball team showed flashes of the talent it possesses but also showed it needs to continue building chemistry – and building that chemistry will come from winning games like Saturday's home opener against rival St. Thomas University, set for 7 p.m. in the FMU Wellness Center.

While Saturday's game – the "Battle of Miami Gardens" – is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start, it will actually tip-off 30 minutes following the conclusion of the preceding women's game between the programs.

However, fans will not be allowed to attend the game – as the Florida Memorial athletic department has elected to enforce a "no fans" policy at least until the end of the 2020 calendar year. The game, however, will be streamed live online by Black College Sports Network and can be viewed by fans for free.

The newness of Florida Memorial's roster manifested itself in 22 turnovers against Warner University in the Lions' season-opener this past Thursday. Those turnovers led to 26 points for the opponent and stymied FMU's offense down the stretch – as a two-point Florida Memorial lead became a 10-point deficit over a six-minute stretch.

Still, 7-foot senior center Mubashar Ali essentially picked up where he left off in 2019-20 – nearly recording a double-double against the Royals (11 points and 8 rebounds) to lead the Lions. 2020-21 Sun Conference Preseason Player to Watch Quincy Urbina and Tristan Stephens finished with 9 and 8 points respectively in their first game with the Lions.

Facing FMU Saturday will be a St. Thomas University team that was voted the No. 2 team in the Sun Conference in the preseason polls but has performed a bit divergently through the first two games of the season. The Bobcats (1-1, 1-0 The Sun Conference) dropped its first game to independent Florida National University but then responded with an easy 15-point win over conference foe Keiser University.

St. Thomas has a big, physical frontcourt with Dwayne Russell, Quinterious Jones and Jahsim Floyd – all measuring 6-foot-8 – and a pair of solid shooters in guards Dante Pace and Antoine Joe – both of whom are shooting 41 percent from three-point range this season.

Florida Memorial does have the size to matchup with the Bobcats frontline. In addition to the 7-foot Ali, head coach Ansar Al-Ameen can call on Ebenezer Aboagye, Cheikh Kebe and Urbina, who all measure 6-foot-8.

Although St. Thomas has gotten the better of the Lions in past six meetings, the last three were decided by four points or less.

Because the teams are essentially evenly matched from a physical standpoint, success on Saturday will come down to small and intangible details – chiefly effort and attention to detail as to limit turnovers.

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